Noah à la Hollywood

The movie is a distortion of the Torah.

With the release of its new biblical blockbuster Noah, Hollywood has once again proven it knows all too well the secret of the one animal singled out for greatest contempt among all the different species identified as non-kosher.

Do you know why the pig has always been the personification of the forbidden food we are most warned against consuming? The rabbis explain it’s because every other animal that is not kosher lacks the two signs, split hooves and chewing its cud, that are both necessary to identify it as permissible. A cow is an example of an animal that fulfills both requirements, and is thus kosher. A horse is not kosher because it fulfills neither. There is only one animal in existence that seems kosher because it has split hooves, but is really not kosher because it doesn't chew its cud – and that is the pig.

The pig is the one animal that presents us with a kosher façade. It thrusts its foot forward as if to present credentials of divine approval, all the while withholding its concealed characteristic that renders it forbidden.

It is the hypocrisy implicit in the pig’s desire to mislead us that explains why it has rightfully gained the distinction of being regarded as the most repulsive of all in the category of the non-kosher.

And that, to my mind, is the real offense of Darren Aronofsky’s $130 million version of Noah and the story of the flood as supposedly recounted in the book of Genesis.

Americans in the main are a people of great faith. According to the most recent Gallup poll, more than 90% believe in God. Eighty percent consider the Bible a sacred work. Those are surely very tempting numbers for Hollywood moguls searching for “kosher themes.” Make the audience feel they are involved with something spiritual, that going to see a biblically-based film is almost as good as attending a religious service – and the moviemakers can rest assured they will reap obscene profits even as they can feel free to create whatever Hollywood revisions they choose to make the story more interesting, more “contemporary,” more romantic, and of course more marketable.

Then again, most people don’t really know the story as it appears in the original Torah version. No harm then, the producers admit, in making some “minor” alterations. And for those who might be troubled by these revisions and adaptations, Paramount Pictures added an advisory to the film that stated, “This was only inspired by Noah, and ‘artistic license’ has been taken. ... The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.”

As for those who never saw the advisory to the film and were led to believe that they were now privileged to see a version of the true story that would let them skip ever studying it in the original…… Well, guess you can’t please everybody!

In a revealing interview with the New Yorker magazine, writer–director Darren Aronofsky shared his motivation in doing the movie with these words: “There is a huge statement in the film, a strong message about the coming flood from global warming.” Aronofsky told other entertainment reporters: “It’s about environmental apocalypse which is the biggest theme, for me, right now, for what’s going on this planet. ... Noah was the first environmentalist.” And the reason for God’s anger with the world in Noah’s time that prompted the decree of divine destruction? Because Neolithic man was destroying his environment – although how he was able to do so without the carbon emissions resulting from a highly industrialized society is never explained.

The flood is made to appear as nothing more than a response to mankind’s refusal to take the message of the “go green” movement seriously.

Forget about the emphasis the Torah put on corruption and violence, or the fact that the first 10 generations never properly understood what God would later codify on the second tablet of the Decalogue summarizing the ethical responsibilities of man towards fellow man. “Now the earth was corrupt before God. And the earth became full of robbery. And God saw the earth, and behold it had become corrupted” (Genesis 6:11 – 12). But for Noah the movie, the flood is made to appear as nothing more than an Al Gore inspired response to mankind’s refusal to take the message of the “go green” movement seriously!

Granted, the digital recreations of the animals boarding the ark and the special effects involved in producing the flood are truly extraordinary. And for those who love science fiction, the “Watchers,” supposedly the fallen angels of Genesis who assist Noah in the building of the ark – and in keeping the multitudes away from it when the flood begins to make its appearance – make for fascinating viewing. But they have as much to do with the real story as UFOs or men from Mars.

And pity poor Noah for the way Aronofsky – in the person of Russell Crowe – chooses to depict him. For the Bible, “Noah was a righteous man, he was perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9).

True, some traditional Jewish commentators found in these very laudatory words the possibility of a divine criticism. “He was perfect in his generations” led some rabbis to conclude that only by comparison to the others in his generation of evildoers was he praised, but were he to have lived in the time of Abraham he would not similarly have stood out for his piety. Yet the words still attest to a righteous and perfect man who walked with God. Noah spent over a century building the ark publicly precisely so that people would ask in wonderment what he was doing and so that he might then warn them of the consequences of their evil actions and hopefully turn them to repentance.

How embarrassing to see the feverish, self-righteous and almost maniacal Noah portrayed on the screen – a man so deluded by a supposed mission from God that he comes seconds away from murdering his infant grandchildren. Viewers come away with the image of a man guided either by hallucination or obsession – a theme shared by several other films by Aronofsy, such as Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain and Black Swan.

The Noah of the movie is not a depiction but rather a distortion of the Torah figure chosen to be spared by the Almighty and with his family to begin the story of mankind anew. To know that millions of viewers, after seeing this film, will internalize Russell Crowe’s Noah as well as many other parts of the film’s storyline that have no basis in the Bible or any other reputable sources should be cause for much concern by all those respectful of Torah and the guardianship of its truths.

It was precisely in this spirit that the prophetic sages of the Jewish people years ago proclaimed the day of the first translation of the Torah into another language, the Septuagint, as a day fasting. What troubled them was that a translation might become considered as much the word of God as the original text. Just imagine how they would’ve felt about a film that transforms a biblical story into a work of personal imagination with a contemporary agenda that bears no relationship to the original.

Noah would be a far more honest film if it clearly severed any connection with the Torah story which it obviously felt no obligation to faithfully replicate. Frankly, if it were just called An Old Man and a Flood I might even be willing to recommend it.

About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. He is the author of 19 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, A much sought after speaker, he is available as scholar in residence in your community. See his website at rabbibenjaminblech.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 64

(48)
dalphoN Israel,
December 10, 2014 6:22 PM

Flaws in Noah:

Thank you for the article. After watching the movie for myself, I was very disturbed. I found that there were many discrepancies with this film. For example: clouds before the flood; "a Firmament above the firmament below" does not indicate cloud cover. And HaTorah makes it clear that the WIVES of Noach's children were WITH them on the Ark. Not in the belly of his daughter in-law.

(47)
Anonymous,
April 17, 2014 3:36 AM

Propaganda

This film was put out to be nothing but a propaganda piece and to distort Torah (Bible). They know what they are doing and it is to promote their agenda and to also take out G-D from history. Very unwise for parents to take children to see such a LiIE. But, many, many adults are completely unknowledgable themselves of the history of the world and will fall for this distortion. Such are the times we are in.

(46)
Anonymous,
April 6, 2014 7:44 PM

Perfect review and analysis. Briliant, in fact. Thank you.

This monstrosity of New Age Gnosticism and gratuitous violence is designed to influence thinking in the wrong direction in terms of spiritual things. It will no doubt be incredibly traumatic for children and unsuspecting others who rightly revere the Righteous Noah. As a screenwriter, I am saddened that Paramount chose to let people down and to discourage them in this way, especially in these difficult times. It's unconscionable that that they allowed a young director to promote a political agenda (global warming) that has been discredited by so many legitimate scientists and historians, and which has been revealed to be a way for the few to make fortunes via the "Carbon Credits" scheme. Trusting the original accounts of Torah rather than the Hollywood versions, is truly "paramount" and I hope everyone realizes the movies are just a product--a literary project--and that actors, etc. are people with certain skills, not truth-tellers. Thanks again for courageously setting the record straight on the film Noah.

(45)
Brian Stockman,
April 6, 2014 4:06 PM

Go see the movie open up your Chumish & read the truth.

I took a opened approach when seeing the movie Noah. I know the real story as we read it every year, however I wanted to see if it was an inspiring film. After seeing it, I was inspired to open my Art Scroll and check out the real emit. I don't believe respectfully Rabbi, that people will see the movie and believe it to be emit. After all it's Hollywood. I think if one Jew gets turned on and wants to learn more. He'll go to the real source:). That's absolutely a good thing. Before you judge the Noah movie, go see it without any politics or preconceived notions and agendas. My Orthodox Rabbi always says to look for Torah in everything you do. This movie will not distort what you know:). My reaction to this movie was to go back to the source & review:). I have been delving into Torah ever since I saw Noah only to find out that there is so much to learn in every pasuk when digging for Diamonds of emit in Torah:).

(44)
Barbara Goldin,
April 6, 2014 3:30 PM

The Movie Noah

It seemed to me that Man saved the human race instead of G-d when Noah decided not to kill the two baby girls. I also felt sorry for the younger son who left home to wander and eventually die without any human connection. While the Biblical story and this movie did have the same outcome, it didn't seem to me that G-d was the winner in the move. G-d and man wins when we are partners rather than being adversaries.

(43)
Raquel de Almeida,
April 6, 2014 9:13 AM

Noah, the film

We had to see it as a family and it provided a great opportunity for discussion afterwards. Our children could see the distortions, I call these the added value.It was a very religious film on various fronts and the story of creation as told by Noah in the film was quite stunning. It works on several fronts: It might get people asking questions and wanting answers to go straight to the source, it might get people to look at their environment in a different way and as with the Ten Commandments, it was visually stunning - the truth..well, people will have to look for it, if they can be bothered. One must go and see the film before passing judgement.

CJ,
April 10, 2014 3:55 AM

Totally Agree

We viewed the film as you have. We know the story of Noah. The film made it very clear it was the wickedness of human beings that brought the flood and G-d's judgement. Noah telling the story of creation was breathtaking. This film will inspire more people to open and study the Torah, not less.

donal,
August 17, 2014 4:37 PM

yup

If you know the story, then share the story. The Truth is the Truth regardless of perception, whether or not it is absorbed is a decision based on the very principle of choice we have today.As it was then and will be tomorrow.

(42)
cs,
April 6, 2014 4:58 AM

thank you for the clarity

I watched the trailer and knew instantly that this was a movie that I was NOT going to see. Thank you for being the "aspaklaria meira" for my thoughts.

(41)
Gary Katz,
April 6, 2014 3:16 AM

What's the pig's motivation?

I would think the pig wouldn't want to trick Jews into thinking it's kosher. Why make more people want to eat you?

(40)
Anonymous,
April 6, 2014 1:23 AM

Noah film.

I agree, it is a distortion. Amen.

(39)
Willem,
April 5, 2014 9:30 AM

Noah, the Torah and the environment

Let us hope that people, after watching the movie, will revert to Torah, wondering about its greatness. Yes, people were wicked in these days, towards each other, towards the environment and towards their Creator

(38)
Al,
April 4, 2014 8:47 PM

I Take Issue With Your Premise

The Noah fs to be a Biblical representation of the story. Any na'ar that goes to the movie theatre thinking s/he is going to learn Torah there -- well that's a nebbuch! The film is a fictionalized INTERPRETATION of the story -- this man's interpretation seen through his particular lens. He is sharing his vision with us. As with any other thing coming out of Hollywood, we can take it or leave it. Movies are for ENTERTAINMENT ON:LY! To know the truth one must go to the source -- The Torah. BTW -- DeMille's The Ten Commandments wasn't Torah true either. It was still a great film!

(37)
Anonymous,
April 4, 2014 4:49 PM

Great!

This is so true. Thank you SO much for posting it!

(36)
Shimon,
April 4, 2014 2:31 PM

Noah business like show business

Wading through the sanctimony and puritanism that clogs this page one comes out the other side wondering, really, what all the fuss is about. In an era where secularism and Islamism vie for dominance the notion that people - even, G-d forbid, not very religious Jews - may find inspiration in Tanakh and seek to explore contemporary concerns through its lens should neither leave us unmoved nor apoplectic. Rather than look down one's nose or blow off steam, one may ponder how a generation raised largely in ignorance of the Bible may now entertain the thought, even if passing, that there may be more to it. Of course, on opening it they'll be disappointed not to find it chock full of CGI but they will have opened it. But they will carry away the wrong impression, incorrect and incomplete notions of Noah and other stories! Yes, they will - but they already have completely wrong-headed notions of the Bible's contents - 2000 years of Christianity and 1400 years of Islam (not to mention more recent innovations) have seen to that. The horse has already bolted so there's really no point in indignantly slamming a film which openly takes artistic licence but also shows significant respect for the source material. Sure, let's point out where it misrepresents and misguides but let's also share where it gets it right! (One move critic attacked the film maker for depicting Noah as a vegetarian!) Movies like this could be a starting point for education, enlightenment... even *gasp* kiruv if we don't use them as a platform for self-righteousness.

(35)
Seth Gross,
April 4, 2014 1:09 PM

It's a movie!

It's a movie!

(34)
Anna,
April 4, 2014 6:21 AM

I have never yet seen a film of a Bible story that WASN'T a total distortion. I wasn't going to see this anyway, but thanks for confirming my decision.

(33)
Sientje Seinen,
April 4, 2014 5:09 AM

Noah

After this review I refuse to go and see it, Never liked biblical movies very much and I agree with you it had nothing to do with going green as in my Bible it states "That it grieved G-d that He had created mankind" that everyone had become corrupt except "Noah a righteous man"

(32)
Bill,
April 4, 2014 3:27 AM

You don't know about Hollywood

How many times have we heard: "The book was better."

Unfortunately, given the ignorance of our culture, it imbues too much inaccurate information that will not be questioned. Methinks that was the point of the writers and producers all along.

(31)
Rachel,
April 4, 2014 3:09 AM

It is a busha

I heard some christian thinker expounding on the film today (have no interest in seeing it and never planned to anyway) and of course, the guest and host were disappointed in the fact that the movie does not hew to the Bible narrative. They also had to mention that hte story was written by 2 self-proclaimed"not very religious Jews'. I groaned, and they made the kind of noises that suggested "Well, what do you want'. I was also amused to hear them talk about how this story was "influenced by ancient Jewish texts like the kabbala and the gnostic writings... Maybe someone who knows these "2 not so religious Jews" can invite them for a Shabbat meal and introduce them to their heritage and what is truly Jewish narrative. What a busha they are causing-when the world can least afford it.

(30)
Marjie,
April 4, 2014 12:03 AM

Entertainment

This was not intended on being a documentary. And if you wanted to see one a movie theater was not the place to go. This movie was entertainment no more. The story of the flood is part of the fokelore of numerous cultures and even tho it's written in the Torah we should not consider the story as only ours to retell. Enjoy the movie as a story to entertain you not to educate you or others.

Nechama,
April 5, 2014 6:57 PM

Not Folklore

Marjie,

We who believe in the sacredness of the bible do not consider the story folklore. It's true that the story exists in the folklore ofother cultures. This is because it really happened and made an immense impression on all mankind. They eventually distorted the story.

Our Torah was given by G-d himself as a precious gift to show us how to serve Him and how to behave ethically with our fellow men.

Anonymous,
April 6, 2014 2:13 AM

Distortion

Very well articulated by Rabbi Blech. Agree 100%. Hopefully, no intelligent person who knows something about the Torah (Bible) would take their child to see such a 'drastic' distortion of the true Torah account of the great flood. It's turning history on its head. Why would a jew produce this?

Anonymous,
April 18, 2014 3:20 PM

Distorting Truth

How wrong you are Marjorie. People understand it's a movie, but it is promoted as 'Noah' based on the Torah (Bible) story. Today, we have a very dumb-downed generation (especially in regards to the 'Bible') and they will go away believing the movie was basically true. That it was produced by 'Jews' makes it even uglier that they go publicly against Torah, knowing that most of the public know they are Jews. Of course, these two Jews know of Judaism, no more than the typical person living in the West knows of Buddahism or any alien religion to the Western world. Now, we need to understand that the Book of Genesis is mostly history of the world and pertains to the non-Jew also and there are many non-Jews quite knowledgable of the narratives. They have a right to the truth and a right to be outraged out the bold lies of the movie. An example of pure lies is the idea of man eating meat. We know that before the Flood, man lived as vegans. Meat was only introduced to mankind after the Flood when, as part of the seven Noahide Laws, they were given permission to eat meat. Before the Flood the lifespan of man was long, into the hundreds of years. After the Flood, the earth was completely transformed and man would eat meat and his lifespan would get shorter and shorter. The assumption that man ate meat then is just one sample of the gross distortions in this film and, thus, making it unfair to the viewers. When making a film biblically based, it is important for the youth as well as the uninformed general public to get, at least, some basic truth of history.

(29)
Liz,
April 3, 2014 11:10 PM

The book is always better than the movie...

I could list, as I'm sure many could, many, many films that were completely off base and had no relation to the excellent book it was purported to be based on.

How disappointed I was to view with my children on DVD Stuart Little. who zooms in a toy car and befriends a bird. In this case, the film did have adorable features in it, but it wasn't the book I read as a child.Films are a powerful medium, and it is disturbing that people will come away feeling they've viewed a bible story.Still more disturbing is they haven't read the book!We can't expect others to have read chumash inside and grappled with what the meforshim had to say.I may be wrong in this, but surely those who in the non Jewish world have read in their bible the story of Noah and came away with a more favourable impression about him and the purpose of making the tevah.

(28)
Rachel,
April 3, 2014 11:08 PM

If you're looking for Biblical or historic accuracy, don't think you're going to find it in a film

It's called "poetic license", folks, and it's been around for thousands of years. There was a Pelepponesian War, and it's even possible there was a guy named Odysseus who didn't get home after it for years. And one of mankind's first great poets (Homer) wrote about it, and in Homer's version, Odysseus' journey takes so long because he's being waylaid by Sirens and other mythical creatures.

The purpose of any serious artistic endeavor is to tell the artist's truths, not simply to retell an existing story.

Throw in the amount of money required to make a major motion picture, and both the historical and artistic truths may require some compromise because from the investors' point of view, the purpose of the film is to make money. Another way to put it is "entertainment". That's why people will see "Gone with the Wind" and "Titanic". If they want to do historical research on the American Civil War or the awful sinking of that ship, they'll go to a museum, see a documentary, or read a history book.

I hope to see "Noah" soon (I heard Russell Crowe is terrific.) I have enjoyed Homer's "Odyssey", Shakespeare's "Richard III", and the film version of "The Ten Commandments".

And I imagine Mr. Aronofsky would be pleased we're having this online conversation about his film. Every artist I've ever known wants to provoke the audience/reader/viewer. I hope that seeing the film might inspire some people to now go read the Book.

(27)
Ingrid,
April 3, 2014 11:04 PM

The messages of the Noah story are vividly portrayed!

The Torah's powerful messages of the Noah's story are depicted very clearly.1. Where was Noah's collective responsability? He never intervened for a single human being. 2. The violence and inhumanity that flourishes in a Godless society, lead by the hubris of men. The destruction of nature, wildlife and cannibalizing among mankind well depicted. The mercy of God and His faith in men,despite men's inclination toward evil, giving manking a second chance. The destructiveness that occurs when our faith becomes fundamentalist, and we proceed to act with such self righteousness that we substitute God wills for ours. Judaism is critical of"blind obedience".Well portrayed in this movie. The acting and special effect magnificent. The jewish countervoice and messages are genuinely biblical and powerful, packaged in a 21century lexicon. Yes, there is 21 century midrash, so..This is a powerful movie.

(26)
Anonymous,
April 3, 2014 10:16 PM

Noah

I would never ever see such trash even if a got a five star rating. As soon as I heard that Russell Crowe was staring in the lead, I knew it would be awful. Not that Crowe is not an excellent actor, but is he Noah?? We don't know what Noah looked like, but I don't think he looked like Crowe, nor did he have an Australian or British accent. They didn't speak English back then. There was only one language in the world, which according to the Torah changed after the flood, in the Valley of Shinar, when people wanted to build a tower to reach I taught Hebrew school, and so many kids would answer questions about the Jews going out of Egypt, by telling me that they saw it in the movie, "The Ten Commandments, so it has to be true.Who would know better than Cecil Demille , a movie scholar what happened when the Jews left Egypt? Seriously!

(25)
joe halpert,
April 3, 2014 9:53 PM

good movie, great article

I agree with R' Blech, but, enjoy the film!

(24)
ruth housman,
April 3, 2014 8:43 PM

Noah NO AWE or is there more to this story???

I haven't seen the movie. I am not sure I am moved to see it, but what does move me, was an interview of Mr. Aronofsky. He is passionate about environmentalism, and I believe, as a Jew, that we should all be passionate about this issue. So IF this is a big part of this movie, I would endorse this. I actually do not normally go to movies to see how they were literally faithful to a book. Because they generally aren't, and often this does disappoint, as endings are altered, and also the stories change. Many playwrights and writers know this. Hemingway never saw, one of the movies made from his book. I think it was, The Old Man and the Sea, because he felt this wouldn't be his cup of tea.

As to The Story of PI, I never read the book but did think, the movie was rather fascinating, and had some very interesting questions that kept me thinking and in discussion with friends. As happens, current internet and web capacity means we are actually seeing, as never before, inter species communication and love, and I just watched a moving video of a man who is very much beloved by lions. Rather amazing footage and he, this man, is passionate about the need to save wildlife, their sanctuaries, in Africa. I totally respect and honor this. We have some very deep issues to confront, and I believe God is actually an ACTOR in this entire Cosmic Story that brought us NOAH. Why? My life is totally synchronous, and I am writing this down, on paper, on line, and by now it's off the charts, the HIT Parade. This has profound implications. For us all.

(23)
Anonymous,
April 3, 2014 8:35 PM

Serpent and tefillin

After seeing Noah I was disturbed about seeing what appeared to be the symbolic wearing of tefillin that was made from the skin of the serpent from the Garden of Eden. To me this seems to suggest a bond between the Jewish people and the source of corruption in the world at the time ( the serpent or the devil). I am offended.

(22)
SteveB,
April 3, 2014 7:56 PM

On the other hand . . .

What Torah lessons may have rubbed off the millions who will see Noah the movie, but had not untill then opened a bible?

(1) People had become brutes, savaging each other, inventing weapons of iron, not just stone, becoming carnivorous, exhausting the earth. The consequence of their wickedness was the flood made by The Creator.

(2) Noah was self absorbed in his righteousness - never calling out others to teach them a better way. As we who know Tanach, know that it will take 10 more generations before Abraham appears as one who is righteous, compassionate and kind. The movie writer used his artistic license to demonstrate Noah's self absorption through his treatment of his movie family.

(3) The Creation is ongoing and we are charged with perfecting it.

These three principles may be too subtle for those movie goers too absorbed in the movie's glitz of sound, light and sci fi excursions. But others will discuss the story and may get it. And if they hear that the book is only 92 verses long, they may actually read it, and more.

(21)
Beverly Kurtin,
April 3, 2014 7:26 PM

Didn't see it

The movies have priced themselves out of my ability to fork out to see a film. I'll rent it when it hits the DVD stage.

However, from what I have seen on the TV the few times I've watched TV (right now it is on my favorite channel: OFF) it seemed to be absurd.

We are not the only people to have a flood story. It is estimated by science (yeah, I'm a scientist) that a huge glacier lake burst, flooding huge parts of the earth. But it happened about 6,000 years ago. They're called jökulhlaup or a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).

If Hashem wiped all life off the face of the earth because people were evil...why did he let us repopulate the world with people who are exactly the same? The first thing that happened after the flood was incest! Hard to figure out.

There are parts of Torah that are myths...Noah, sadly, is one of them.

Anonymous,
April 4, 2014 3:41 PM

The Torahis truth

To Beverly Kurtin, nothing in the Torah is myth, hence belief and faith come into play. There are those who reduce the first book of the Torah to mere fairy tales. That is very sad. Reducing the Torah to movies in order to make a lot of money is even sadder.

(20)
Anonymous,
April 3, 2014 7:23 PM

noah?

it is my humble opinion that this movie. which I am told doesnt even mention G-d, is one more attempt to erase G-d and any reference to religion from our culture. It is not benign. It will leave a generation, already ignorant of the Bible, with this sacriligeous image as truth. As Rabbi Belch article says, the director could have named it something else. It is all an idea to make money out of any interest of the public in Bible themes. We are playing with fire. Sooner or later this whole secular socialist movement will explode in our faces

(19)
Lily,
April 3, 2014 7:15 PM

At least it can spark discussion and curiosity?

I was wondering about this movie as well. I haven't seen yet but I'm sure all of your criticism is accurate. On the other hand, don't you think it could still be a good thing in that it's at least bringing Biblical topics into the public discourse, and possibly sparking curiosity in the people who see it to find out more? Just a thought.

(18)
Thomas Maxwell,
April 3, 2014 7:02 PM

It's not scripture its entertainment...

As long as people get that this is a "Hollywood" movie. It never claims to be Torah based. We should encourage people to read the real story in the Torah. It's sad that people don't know the scriptures. Its a sign of the times.

(17)
Shmuel,
April 3, 2014 5:29 PM

a parable has many layers

As a Parable, the Story of Noah, has various levels of readings. The Joy of conveying any of the parables is the main experience of entering into the sacred Letters of Torah. When “small issues” of interpretation become the focus, then the JOY found in the larger picture is reduced. When will someone tell the real Story as NOAH, as the Ascent/Chayit/Chet of the Neuwn/Nun?

(16)
Anonymous,
April 3, 2014 3:52 PM

True it has serious problems but there is a good side

For me the biggest problem in the movie is that ignores the central message of the story which is that G-d did not wanted to destroy mankind and that's why he told Noah to build an ark for 100 year to give the opportunity to humans to REPENT. The movie also has a pro vegan msg that permeates the entire movie which ultimately is a distortion of the real sins of stealing, idolatry, murder and adultery that are of course far more responsible for the flood than eating meat,,,,,,Having said all that the movie DOES present a family that lives the values of mercy,kindness, justice and emuna in a world that is clearly CORRUPTED and in contradiction to the values of Noah's family.The movie shows the humanity of the main character Noah with his shortcomings and doubts which is the JEWISH WAY to portrait all of our leaders such us Moses or David. It;s this lack of fear that which is the signature of TRUTH and what makes the TORAH DIVINE. In the end Noah chooses the right path in the movie and the movie is clear on what is good and right. So like I said yes it has serious problems but all thou respects to the rabbi he does not make any effort to see the other side or to find good and that as we all know is also a serious problem.

(15)
miriam w. Cohen,
April 3, 2014 3:47 PM

enjoy Rabbi Blech's comments

I enjoy reading Rabbi Blech's comments, but since when is there any accuracy with Hollywood's movies based on the Bible? They do not have to be factual, and they often are not, since they are produced to sell to millions and so they certainly take license with facts, it is now trendy to be eco conscious, and so there it is. Remember the storm with Mel Gibson's film, anti-semitic, violent, not accurate, and it made a fortune for Mel Gibson, an anti-semitic, and arrogant man.

(14)
FR WILLIAM BARROCAS,
April 3, 2014 3:44 PM

NOAH OF THE TORAH IS BEST LEFT ALONE TO CONTINUE TO BE WHAT HE WAS IN HIS TIME.

Tis by no means fair to transpose Noah of Torah into a Noah of end-times. That is freedom abused, and related people's sentiments desecrated, both of which should be unacceptable among the gentle & noble of humans, whatever the motive. Besides what guarantee is there the end times will be brought about by WATER ALONE AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH OF TORAH and not by any other means, as if it belongs to WATER ALONE TO DESTROY HUMANITY WHATEVER THE REASON? PLEASE LET NOAH OF TORAH ALONE.

(13)
Alan Graubard,
April 3, 2014 3:23 PM

A bit disappointed

I too am a bit (OK, maybe more than a bit) disappointed in the treatment of this Biblical icon - yes, icon as this is where our "new beginnings were formed". The religious on all sides have expressed their opinions.My reaction was "what did I just see?". I was prepared for some sort of Hollywood distortion but was not prepared for a stowaway or the lack of the wives of Noah's sons. How does one expect the population of the world to happen in this treatment? OK, don't answer that - I will let my imagination run free as was the case with Aronafsky. So to all who ask, I tell them that this is another Hollywood "blockbuster" that has fantastic special effects and is to be seen as nothing to do with the "original" book. It is really true - the book is always better than the movie>

Ellenl,
April 3, 2014 5:15 PM

Great response!

(12)
Maurie,
April 3, 2014 3:03 PM

“Old Man With A Flood” would have been a much better title.

Bernard Malmud was a prolific writer of books and short stores. I read “The Fixer” and others with Jewish themes before I read “The Natural’. The writing was engaging and I could literally “not put it down” so I finished it at sunrise after a sleepless night. The ending was such a huge disappointment to me when the movie was released I was deliberate to avoid it.

Some years later I found myself visiting family where the movie was on video and soon found the story line had so little in common with the book it was clear I could not predict the ending and indeed as it concluded there was no way they were going to let Robert Redford strike out in disgrace.

It was also “inspired by” the book. I suggest that if we want the story of Noah we should read the book and not rely on this any more than Cecil B. Demilles’s version of “The 10 Commandments.” It should be read in the original Hebrew prior to multiple translations into Greek and Latin and subsequent interpretations or at the very least a direct translation with traditional commentary. Emes does not come from Hollywood which thrives on lies by omission, exaggeration, manipulation, distortion, pure fiction and creative nonsense. “Old Man With A Flood” would have been a much better title.

(11)
Amiram Kupfer,
April 3, 2014 2:59 PM

It's HOLYWOOD

Come on friend, the movie is not about TORA story. It has only one intend to make money. I'm sure you all remember the Ten commandments? and it was really good movie, but after seeing it many people thought that Moses was like real.

Chaya Channa,
April 3, 2014 6:37 PM

Hollywood or not

DO NOT compare The Ten Commandments to this garbage. The only Hollywood wow was the animals going into the ark. As for the rest it was awful. Yes, I did see it. No one should waste their money on this. I did not find ANY value in it at all. >^,,^<

(10)
christina,
April 3, 2014 2:31 PM

yes! I agree it causes damage to people who don't know the Torah

I know I felt traumatized after I left the theater, I had not heard ahead of time the warnings about this movie.

(9)
Caleb Joshua,
April 3, 2014 2:09 PM

My advise to all movie makers is be very careful when making biblical related movies and see to it that they reflect what actually happened in line with the book

(8)
Tony Martin,
April 3, 2014 12:06 PM

In response to 'Maybe I saw a different Movie' 's comment, Thank you kind Sir for your sensitivity and your response-ability when you said "how can you disparage a fellow jew on behalf of Noah whom you never knew? " That is a very good point. I do not think anyone has the right to criticize some one else's Yiddish Keit, even if they're Yiddish or they're Keit is not yet so fully cultivated.Lets not forget we are All B'nai Noach (Jews and no-Jews alike, and that only Love for one another can re-build the 3rd Temple." It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness" (Talmud) May Loving and Mitvah-ly- Minded People be Am Echad, and May Final Redemption come speedily in our generation.. Be Perfect !

Oh, gosh, I can't believe how MANY people don't get this. The Noah movie used a Biblical character and basic plot framework, borrowed like crazy from Midrash imagery, Babylonian/Mesopotamian and possibly alien Martian texts, then poured a whole bunch of writers' imaginations in to fill in the "floating around for 40 days is VERY boring video" thing with really WEIRD and unsettling behaviors by several people to create conflict while still trying to keep the whole absolute-good vs. absolute-evil issue going, both between characters and within characters. While it certainly isn't the best movie I've ever seen, the special effects are kinda cool and I can appreciate what they were trying for, even if I do think they sort of overshot their mark and landed in the weeds. I WILL say that I liked the angel treatment even if it did send some Christians into screaming paroxysms of rage... actually that made it even better. I also know that if I ever run into Methuselah, I better bring berries, and that is one very important thing to know. So lighten up, people!!!

I have one observation, and one question (which I hope will garner an answer here) for the rabbi.

The observation is that, by historical standards, this is tame Bible tampering. An at least it's not another populist, theatrical recitation of the anti-Semitic "new testament" deicide tripe that has led to the spilling of so much innocent Jewish blood throughout the course of Christian history. Given Gibson's publicized rant against the Jews on the occasion of one of his several DUI arrests, his true motivations behind producing that hateful movie became so clear that they could no longer be obfuscated by the proclamations of an abiding love for the Jewish people that he intersperses among his outlandish accusations against Israel, for example we murdered one of his defenseless gods and are responsible for all war. Noah, on the other hand, was obviously not filmed in order to stir up anti-Semitic sentiments, and, Heaven forbid, the physical consequences Gibson fantasizes about.

The question is, given that neither G-d nor our sages prioritized conveying the traditional understanding of Jewish Scripture to the nations, why should we care which agenda gentiles superimpose on their warped substitutes for our Torah from Sinai? Particularly when their agenda leads to a desirable outcome, like reduced litter.

Lacie,
April 3, 2014 3:17 PM

We are all His creation

Whenever I am tempted to indulge in us against them thinking, I am reminded that no matter our tribe, ethnic group or religious affiliation we are all descended from Adam and loved by our Creator. The Potter has the same expectations of all of us. Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord demands of you; but to do justice, to love loving-kindness, and to walk discreetly with your God.

Anonymous,
April 4, 2014 2:19 PM

...but only the Jews are in anti-Semites' crosshairs

Lacie,

There are plenty of Christian Web sites out there where it would actually be appropriate for you to sermonize about "turning the other cheek". Jews come here to discuss Judaism with other Jews.

I wish you much success in reuniting with your "tribe, ethnic group or religious affiliation". Take care.

Lacie,
April 7, 2014 4:46 PM

When is it ever inappropriate to politely repeat the words of the Torah? Limiting ones interactions inhibits growth and understanding. That is why I choose to learn from and engage with the world. Articles like this one make me think and reflect. That is a good thing my friend.

Lacie,
April 7, 2014 10:52 PM

Anonymous,

The essence of your message is, “go away you don’t belong.” The irony of your desire to exclude me from the readership at Aish is that I stumbled across this wonderful website while Googling the topic of bullying last year.

From an article written by Slovie Jungreis-Wolff, I learned that exclusion is a common form of bullying. http://www.aish.com/f/p/Bully.html

The article was particularly meaningful to me because at the time my young child was being aggressively excluded by a small clique of cool kids who had decided he didn’t belong. Because the article was so insightful I have continued to read Aish and have found the content to be of great value. I would be truly saddened to discover I am unwelcome.

Anonymous,
April 9, 2014 3:26 AM

Propriety

Lacie,

We see a lot about Christian persecution paranoia--it's become trendy in some quarters, especially in December, to pretend the powerful Christian majority is somehow being repressed by non-Christian boogeymen. I see that you've bought into that paranoia, imagining that of course you have every right to inject your Christian outlook into every religious group's community forums, and that any attempt by non-Christians to foster their non-Christian dialogue amongst themselves is an attempt to bully and exclude you. But perhaps you should step back and consider just who is bullying who, my Christian friend who has come here not to read Jewish views but to insert your Christian views at a Jewish forum.

Prescribing Christianity-informed love of anti-Semites to Jews is offensive and inappropriate, in general and especially in a forum like this. Again, if Jews want to know what gentiles believe Jewish scriptures mean, we can always visit one of your Web sites but Jewish Web sites are not the right place to promote Christianity.

(4)
Cal,
March 31, 2014 8:46 PM

Bravo Rabbi!

The line from the article that wraps it all up for me:

"The Noah of the movie is not a depiction but rather a distortion of the Torah figure chosen to be spared by the Almighty and with his family to begin the story of mankind anew. To know that millions of viewers, after seeing this film, will internalize Russell Crowe’s Noah as well as many other parts of the film’s storyline that have no basis in the Bible or any other reputable sources should be cause for much concern by all those respectful of Torah and the guardianship of its truths."

HarryW,
April 3, 2014 2:40 PM

Oy Vey!!

Rabbi et al;This is a movie no more and no less. It is not depicting anything other than what epic action movies always depict. An interesting story line with action sequences. In this case storms and a great flood thrown in. This is a movie. It is not to be taken as anything other than that. Do you think that people who go to movies really say to themselves 'AHA, now I'll see what the heck really happened (or didn't happen)?'

(3)
Anonymous,
March 31, 2014 5:20 PM

A picture speaks louder than words!

Thank you for this great article, and for speaking out against distortions of biblical events for the movie profit.I remember watching the ten commandments as a kid, and no matter what I learned about the events later in my torah learnings, what I saw in the movie has been saved as "fact" in my brain! (thank G-d that movie did not have many major distortions). Therefore, for those that do not have the opportunity to learn the truth of the torah, this movie causes long lasting damage.

(2)
April,
March 31, 2014 5:08 PM

Maybe I saw a different movie

I researched Aronofsky before seeing the movie to have somewhat of an idea on what to expect and what NOT to. Per the man himself in HuffPost to the masses he stressed what he hoped people got out of the movie. See it here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darren-aronofsky/genesis_b_5037704.html I was inspired and kept that in mind. I wish more people like the author of this article did. How can you disparage a fellow jew on behalf of Noah whom you never knew? You openly admit rabbis over the ages have speculated just how "great" Noah was, for better or worse, but Aronofsky is not allowed his own opinion? Even still, this was one of many "points" the article made that I could not reconcile. I felt the movie portrayed Noah as a noble, upstanding man until things escalate during the finishing of the ark. Noah becomes conflicted/confused as to what is God's will. I truly respected that. It showed me that even the greatest of men can become challenged in judgement at the most adverse of times. It showed his humanity. I personally didn't think less of Noah even after. He triumphed, love won out. The accusation of an environmentalist agenda is quite absurd too. At best I left with the impression the movie had a vegan agenda as it seemed to highlight at various scenes how the consumption of meat was for greed, lust for power, etc. but even that's a stretch, much like this article. At most I saw this atheist jew trying to grapple with his religious upbringing and relate them to his "perceived" secular moral ideals through the story of Noah. From my vantage point they're the same! Truly science & scripture DO agree. Study Torah all day but if you're not applying that wisdom to your people, your environment, what good is that? Adversely, you can be "green" all you want; without divine reverence/foundation concerning your efforts, how will you sustain? What kind of energy are you truly exuding in your actions? We can learn so much from each other.

Melissa,
May 20, 2014 6:25 PM

Thank you April

for your liberalism re: Aronovsky's interpretation of Noah. I think alot of the choices he made as co-script writer and director were very self-reflexive - trying to represent to the average film goer some very religious & spiritual ideas w/in the framework of a v. strong concern for the environment. Looking at the film in the context of what has been run in the past by hollywood - this film is a huge triumph & is meant to sensitively showcase many biblical ethics that people typically avoid seeing in themselves and our world. Aronovsky manages to pluck a dry, academic notion of a biblical hero out of the dryness of history and breathe life into him - imperfect in his quest for perfection ... a man declaring himself a failure to G-d and yet we can see full screen how difficult his quest was ... if you had this mission, if any of us had this, single-handedly, how would we individually handle this responsibility? Bravo, Aronovsky, for opening up a world-wide Q & A on this important question that is so timely!!

(1)
Joseph Toubes,
March 31, 2014 3:04 PM

My two cents

IF the name of the movie was "Noah's Ark," I would think that it would be either about the bible story or about a very fine dinning establishment in Des Moines,Iowa. The movie is to make money, not to be a historical document or come close to it. I am going to go see it anyway, I like the actor. None of us was present when the Torah was written about this portion of history. Could Moses,who wrote this, have cleaned up his copy first? Who is to say, and we all know who the final Judge of the merits of this movie is. The Oscars, who did you think. I am still going to see it and be entertained. I can read the Holy Scriptures for the exact account.

Cal,
March 31, 2014 8:48 PM

Regardless the "title", this part of Rabbi's article makes a point you ignore

Then again, most people don’t really know the story as it appears in the original Torah version. No harm then, the producers admit, in making some “minor” alterations. And for those who might be troubled by these revisions and adaptations, Paramount Pictures added an advisory to the film that stated, “This was only inspired by Noah, and ‘artistic license’ has been taken. ... The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.”

My nephew is having his bar mitzvah and I am thinking of a gift. In the old days, the gift of choice was a fountain pen, then a Walkman, and today an iPod. But I want to get him something special. What do you suggest?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Since this event celebrates the young person becoming obligated in the commandments, the most appropriate gift is, naturally, one that gives a deeper understanding of the Jewish heritage and enables one to better perform the mitzvot! (An iPod, s/he can get anytime.)

With that in mind, my favorite gift idea is a tzedakah (charity) box. Every Jew should have a tzedakah box in his home, so he can drop in change on a regular basis. The money can then be given to support a Jewish school or institution -- in your home town or in Israel (every Jews’ “home town”). There are beautiful tzedakah boxes made of wood and silver, and you can see a selection here.

For boys, a really beautiful gift is a pair of tefillin, the black leather boxes which contain parchments of Torah verses, worn on the bicep and the head. Owning a pair of Tefillin (and wearing them!) is an important part of Jewish identity. But since they are expensive (about $400), not every Bar Mitzvah boy has a pair. To make sure you get kosher Tefillin, see here.

In 1944, the Nazis perpetrated the Children's Action in the Kovno Ghetto. That day and the next, German soldiers conducted house-to-house searches to round up all children under age 12 (and adults over 55) -- and sent them to their deaths at Fort IX. Eventually, the Germans blew up every house with grenades and dynamite, on suspicion that Jews might be in hiding in underground bunkers. They then poured gasoline over much of the former ghetto and incinerated it. Of the 37,000 Jews in Kovno before the Holocaust, less than 10 percent survived. One of the survivors was Rabbi Ephraim Oshri, who later published a stirring collection of rabbinical responsa, detailing his life-and-death decisions during the Holocaust. Also on this date, in 1937, American Jews held a massive anti-Nazi rally in New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In a letter to someone who found it difficult to study Torah, the 20th century sage the Chazon Ish wrote:

"Some people find it hard to be diligent in their Torah studies. But the difficulty persists only for a short while - if the person sincerely resolves to submerge himself in his studies. Very quickly the feelings of difficulty will go away and he will find that there is no worldly pleasure that can compare with the pleasure of studying Torah diligently."

Although actions generally have much greater impact than thoughts, thoughts may have a more serious effect in several areas.

The distance that our hands can reach is quite limited. The ears can hear from a much greater distance, and the reach of the eye is much farther yet. Thought, however, is virtually limitless in its reach. We can think of objects millions of light years away, and so we have a much greater selection of improper thoughts than of improper actions.

Thought also lacks the restraints that can deter actions. One may refrain from an improper act for fear of punishment or because of social disapproval, but the privacy of thought places it beyond these restraints.

Furthermore, thoughts create attitudes and mindsets. An improper action creates a certain amount of damage, but an improper mindset can create a multitude of improper actions. Finally, an improper mindset can numb our conscience and render us less sensitive to the effects of our actions. We therefore do not feel the guilt that would otherwise come from doing an improper act.

We may not be able to avoid the occurrence of improper impulses, but we should promptly reject them and not permit them to dwell in our mind.

Today I shall...

make special effort to avoid harboring improper thoughts.

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